MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

Sometimes reading an Amish book is so frustrating because of their rules, and this one sure frustrates me. Not because of the author, Marie Bast is a new author for me and I found her writing to be very professional, and it has a way of relaxing me! And that’s a good thing. The bishop forcing May, making her options difficult. I like that May was spunky enough to stand up to the bishop. That one scene made me laugh!

May was in a situation that she had difficult decisions to make, she didn’t want to Thad’s second choice and I really felt bad for her because she loved her niece. Thad was not easy for me to like. He sure didn’t have the attitude of an Amish man, especially in the beginning when he was forcing May to make decisions by making her feel guilty. But Than did grow on me some. But his mom, Gretchan needed someone to put her in her place. I really didn’t like the way she treated May. But then she did make the story more interesting, and she was needed to put that little bit of Amish mother in law attitude to the story.

Things I did like in the story was May, and the way she loved April and Thad’s child, despite what they did to May. She was a sweet and caring character. It was amazing how the Amish community came together to help each other, as Amish do. I enjoyed the closeness of the people. Ms. Bast does an amazing job keeping the plot flowing just right.

I love reading Amish stories, and I am happy to find a new Amish author in Ms. Bast. I’ll be looking for more of her books in the future. I strongly encourage you to check out this book, along with other this author has written. A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

For the sake of her niece, May Bender must marry Thad Hochstedler. Quite inconveniently, he left her brokenhearted when he chose to marry her sister. Now, they must sort through the challenges lingering from the past, as well as those of day-to-day living within their marriage of convenience.

The Amish Marriage Bargain contains layers as these characters deal with their reality. It’s a story of truth and hardship and second chances, and I enjoyed seeing May and Thad figure it all out. For readers of Amish fiction, this latest release from Marie E. Bast could be just the quick, heart read you need.

I enjoyed The Amish Marriage Bargain by an author who is new to me, Marie E. Bast. For a Love Inspired book, there’s more character depth and layering than I would have expected, adding richness to this marriage-of-convenience story. The narrative flows steadily and the small Iowa Amish community is vividly conveyed.

May and Thad are appealing, hard working, and honorable lead characters, thrust into a difficult situation that, although I knew things would eventually work out, captured my attention as I journeyed with them. And what a situation they find themselves in! May had dated and been in love with Thad in the past, only to be jilted when he married her sister, April, instead. Upon April’s death, Thad inherited the family farm where May is living temporarily as she helps care for his precious daughter, Leah.

As the story opens, May is faced with an important decision – accept her aunt’s offer to work in her Indiana bakery or marry Thad. “She wanted to be Leah’s mamm, and Thad came along as baggage.” The author did a good job of keeping me engaged as she slowly peeled back layers throughout the story.

Another aspect to the story that I enjoyed was the struggle of small dairy farmers to survive in light of government USDA regulations. It was fun to see May’s creative side kick into high gear as she came up with the idea of making cheese as a way to save their family farm. I also enjoyed her interaction with the Amish bishop, who had certainly met his match in May.

On a spiritual level, the story highlights the difference – and difficulty – between the mental process of forgiving because the church’s teaching commands it vs. letting go and forgiving from the heart, and that’s something readers can all relate to.

I enjoyed The Amish Marriage Bargain and look forward to more stories from Marie E. Bast. Recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I love reading Love Inspired books and Amish also. May marries her widowed brother in law with the insistence of the bishop. It starts as a marriage of convenience. She has been caring for her niece. Will they be able to make their marriage work?

I loved May. She was such a hard worker and caring. She is trying so hard to save the farm while taking care of everything else. I love how she started making cheese. I wasn’t too crazy about Thad’s mother. She didn’t want to give May a chance. I recommend reading this book.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author through Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.

While I thought the author did a good job of writing about the Amish way of life and their values and beliefs the style of this author’s writing was very hard for me to read and detracted from my enjoyment of the story. I call this writing style ‘stream-of-consciousness’ and it is definitely not a favorite of mine because it left me wondering which subjects were important to the story and which were just added for filler. In my opinion the author should have spent more time developing her characters and sharing their feelings and emotions with the reader rather than adding countless unimportant details that really had nothing to add to the story. I was hoping to feel an emotional connection between the characters and to the characters and that just never happened for me. I read an early copy of this book through NetGalley and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own,

I hadn’t read any books by this author before. The story is engaging but somewhat predictable. You just don’t know exactly what will drive the couple apart. Misunderstandings and miscommunication abound, along with a meddling mother-in-law. I cared about May and Thad and rooted for their success in marriage and life. They face plenty of challenges, some rather unexpected. I like surprises in a story. Some elements about the Amish in this novel are different than others I’ve heard of or read about. I understand communities differ, so the happenings could be plausible. The people portrayed in The Amish Marriage Bargain act and react just like others—they don’t seem so set apart like some fiction portrays them. In this book, you even learn about making cheese. It’s a quick read too. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

What I think you should know: The Amish Marriage Bargain is an Amish fiction novel. May’s heart was shattered when her love,Thad abruptly abandoned her to marry her sister. When Thad finds himself widowed he doesn’t want May to leave town and leave him alone with his daughter

What you might want to know:
May’s sister died from complications after having her baby.

What I think about the book:
This isn’t your typical Girl meets Boy then they fall in love romance, instead it is a story of putting Family before yourself. May loved her sister and her family more than anything and was even willing to put herself through emotional torture to be there for Leah. I felt for Mary knowing she was giving up dreams of her own. I became very mad at Thad’s character, he was hard to like, even if he had good intentions and motives he did not treat May as someone who loved her and respected her should have. I feel like even after his wife died he caused May unneeded emotional distress. I loved ( to hate) the character of Thad’s mother, she was an over the top mother -in-law, but so believable to me! I enjoyed the book, and would recommend it to any Amish fiction fans.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

"The Amish Marriage Bargain" tells a story of heartache, redemption, and hidden lives and lies. May and Thad are forced by their bishop to marry, since May is a single lady serving as widower Thad's nanny. May and Thad had been sweethearts, until Thad surprisingly married May's sister, April. When April died in childbirth, she left behind her baby daughter, for whom May has promised to care. The backstory exposes a web of lies and deception that threatens the happiness of May, Thad, and baby Leah.

I liked the characters of May and of Thad, and how their relationship developed despite hardships. The basic idea of the story held a lot of potential, and some sections needed to be more thoroughly thought through. Furthermore, some aspects of the story stretched one's credulity, making a person wonder if the people in this Amish community could count (re. how long it takes a baby to come along). I guessed some of the story early on in the book. I also found it a bit of a stretch to think that people could change their personalities and attitudes so very rapidly. I was surprised at how quickly May was ready to throw away their relationship, and the constant wavering of both Thad and May.

The Christian message in this book is overt, but not preachy. Readers who enjoy Amish fiction might give this a try, although they might find themselves a bit incredulous at times, and will surely fall in love with little Leah, if not with the adults in the story.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

They made a bargain but can they keep it?

The Amish Marriage Bargain is a sweet little Love Inspired Amish romance. It was an easy read and didn't take me long at all to finish it even on my Kindle.

While I didn't really connect with the characters very well, except for little Leah who was adorable, I liked the different setting, rural Iowa instead of Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Ohio. I also liked the attention to detail involving the organic milk industry, author Marie E. Bast's own experiences on a diary farm shone through them.

If you are looking for a light romance novel that you can read fairly quickly and you like Amish stories this book might be an option.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Amish stories are delightful.
Lovely story of a second chance at love.

May was dealing with the aftermath of the death of her sister and how to keep her promise to her at the expense of her heart and reservations.
She had history with Thad and if she had to keep her promise to her sister she had to make some amends and trust God with her situation.
I admired her devotion to her niece and her determination to do right by her niece and sister despite herself.
The story takes us through the simple Amish life and their ways and May and Thad having a second chance at love and family.

I received a copy of the book and this is my honest opinion.

I liked the premise of the story and the mystery behind Thad's sudden jilting of May when he married her sister.

Poor May had always felt inferior to her sister. It didn't help that Thad's mother treated her as if she was lazy and incompetent! Yet May had a kind heart and a deep love for her niece, Leah. May's solution to the financial problems they were experiencing was quite clever and it was fun to read about her industry.

Thad was a little dense concerning women and made some big mistakes and yet I liked him anyway. He was a hard worker, did his best to provide for his family and tried to show May kindness and to win her heart back.

As a dairy farmer, Thad was involved with a local association. It was quite interesting to read about the problems they faced and the discussions they had related to organic labeling and supply and demand.

Despite the things I liked, I didn't really understand why May wouldn't forgive Thad or why Thad felt that she would be more devastated to know the reason he married April. Some of their interactions with one another seemed immature.

Some of the dialog was stilted or awkward. I would have liked the narrative to be more developed. It felt like there were a bunch of vignettes shared with just a little bit of detail and then it would move on. It is possible this was due to the formatting of the advance reader copy I had. Often, these are not formatted well and this one had no indicators between sections within the chapters.

There were several places in the story where something would happen or be said and then the author would include "as was the custom with the Amish" or something similar. That was unnecessary and awkward – of course it was an Amish thing – this is an Amish story.

There was also a part where Thad was realizing he needed to be patient and then thought about how "the gut book said" "patience is a virtue". And this bugged me, because that isn't in the Bible! (I looked it up and the origin of this adage is probably from the 1300s.)

There were a number of plot elements here that highlighted customs of the Amish and items in the Ordnung that really had me disliking the Amish rules and things they allow. This isn't the first Amish story I've read – it is just the way things were presented here really bothered me. One of which was the insinuation that it is expected of the women to gossip. And another thing that I won't mention because it would be a spoiler. I'll just say that the lack of showing grace in certain circumstances had me fuming a little, especially because of the result.

I realize that some of the things I didn't care for are merely personal preference. Keeping those in mind, many who enjoy Amish fiction may enjoy this story.

This was a very good read. This was inspirational Amish fiction. It was interesting to read how tough May was when it came to her happiness. She was not going to give up. There were great Amish characters throughout. It was interesting to read about how they made there money in the milking trade and then by making cheeses. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

A Sweet Christian and Inspirational romance from Love Inspired and they never disappoint. I know I can count on these books to give me a happy ending.

Marriage of convenience in an Amish setting? Needless to say, this piqued my interest. In a way, it's almost a story within a story. You have May and Thad working through their own troubles. Then you have May working through the abandonment and anger left behind by her sister and Thad's sudden marriage, followed by April's passing. It's a lot to pack into a novel this size, but Marie E. Bast managed to pull it off.

Both characters had their flaws, and I applaud May for her stout determination. Thad did his best to provide for his family, but as a dairy farmer, he struggled with an uphill battle.

Everything seems to be working against this couple from the very beginning. I enjoyed the way the author slowly worked her way through the story, showing the reader bits and pieces of each character and what they were facing. She included a rather deep internal point of view for May and Thad but also managed to mix things up with some crazy mishaps an ill-tempered mother-in-law.

I often find myself not caring for the deacon in Amish books. Not really their fault, it's more about the rules they're enforcing than the characters themselves. The same thing happened here, which showed me I had truly invested myself in this story.

If you enjoy Amish fiction, you'll like this story.

“She didn’t know what was worse…losing the farm or losing her heart. But could she risk sticking around to find out?”

With “The Amish Marriage Bargain”, Marie Bast composes an inspirational romance that tugs at the heartstrings and encourages readers to never lose faith. This is the first Amish novel I’ve read that focuses on a marriage of convenience, at least as far as I can recall, and I have to admit that I’m surprised to have enjoyed it as much as I did. It did not fall into a clichéd trope, which made it all the more appealing. Books such as this excel at demonstrating the similarities between the Amish and English communities; there are obvious differences, but similarities abound, too, and in this divisive day and age it is important to remember the things that can bring us together. Things like family and faith.

After having her heart broken when her beau married her sister, who died shortly after giving birth to baby Leah, May Bender takes over her little niece’s care. Living in her family’s farmhouse with her former beau, Thad Hochstetler, is a sacrifice she is willing to make for Leah, but the situation escalates quickly when the bishop stipulates that the two must marry. Add in several suspenseful predicaments and the scene is set for an intriguing story. Well-crafted characters enhance the story as well, with backstories that Bast reveals over time. May both embodies and defies the image of the ideal Amish wife, as she is willing to do whatever is necessary to overcome obstacles, even if it is unconventional. Her ardent nature is a source of consternation to the bishop and to her draconic mother-in-law, and I appreciated May’s determination and perseverance while sympathizing with her desire for true love. “She didn’t want secondhand love or someone who pitied her, or someone who wanted her out of loneliness. She wanted to feel loved by someone who was content being next to her.”

The circumstances surrounding the dairy farmers’ dilemma provides a glimpse into the challenges that the Amish face, and how these are in some ways unique from those of the Englishers. The sense of community is an aspect of Amish literature that I never tire of reading about, and the faith element in “The Amish Marriage Bargain” is likewise strong. Forgiveness and sacrifice tie faith and community together, reminding us to put Christ first and to live out lives of kindness and service. After all, His plans for us are always greater than we can imagine.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

It's not easy playing second fiddle to anyone in any situation especially when you want to shine.
May dealt with this when her sister married her beau and then died leaving her to take care of her niece. I loved her love for Leah, there were no restrictions in that area she treated her like her own even when she wasn't sure if she'd still stay with them I loved her dilemma about Leah. I also enjoyed her ability to be innovative when the farm faced some issues I loved how she was able to come up with ideas on how to save it and she got everyone involved.
Thad too was a great character, his heart was in the right place concerning the farm and May but he was pretty dense clueless leading to unnecessary heartache. One thing I didn't like was the lack of communication between the characters each with their own assumptions leading to a lot of heartache that could have been avoided.
There were certain issues I felt were brushed over or handled too quickly that could have been dealt with with more depth.
It definitely was a different kind of read for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are solely mine

My Thoughts on The Amish Marriage Bargain:
The Amish Marriage Bargain is a great read! I love Amish fiction and romance books. While it’s pretty easy to tell the storyline here it’s one of those books you just can’t stop reading because you’re sucked in and a part of their world and lives.

Great book that I highly recommend!

As a mom, I of course just loved the baby. She’s older than you think from reading the descriptions, but only about a year old. The cover photo had me thinking she’d be younger.

May has loved Thad all her life, even dating him and thinking they’d marry, but when he and her sister shoved her aside to wed each other her life stopped. Oh yes, she’s still been alive, but she hasn’t really lived her life.

Her sole purpose now is caring for her niece, but she longs for more. She longs for love and a family of her own, maybe a business or something to occupy her time. A purpose.

When May is offered a job and to be set up to inherit a business she thinks things are clicking into place to give her a new chance on life. But will she be able to leave her niece?

Join May and Thad as they navigate life in this fun Amish fiction romance book!

I highly recommend the book and loved every minute I was reading. It’s a fast read though so make sure you have time to sit and read it cover to cover.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

I am a bit conflicted while writing this review. I liked the overall story and premise for the book, yet I kept wishing for more. I felt like I was left waiting for more details and more information which would make me truly experience what the characters were feeling. Instead, it was as if I was being told what they were feeling and I was watching it from the outside looking in, wondering about certain details and wishing they had been elaborated on.

I wanted more clarity in a few situations. When May and Thad agree to this bargain, I couldn’t quite figure out exactly what their bargain would entail. Would they live in the same house and keep things as they had been when May was working as Thad’s nanny? Did they plan to make the marriage a true one someday? Would they be marrying for convenience, yet living as husband and wife before true feelings grew between them? I also felt conflicted about what May and Thad actually felt for each other. Sometimes it seemed like they had actually loved each other once, and at other times it seemed as if their prior relationship had not lasted long enough to really develop deep feelings. There were times that just as I was expecting more details to clarify what was going on in the story, the focus would shift to something else and go on from there. Bad communication was a defining part of their relationship, for sure.

I did keep turning pages, wanting to see how things would work out. It really was a great set up for the story, it just fell a bit flat for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is a new to me author that I enjoyed very much! I can see this author going far with her stories!
This is a book that will want to make you root for Thad and May. There will be some hurt feelings, misunderstandings and just life;s struggles for these two.
I can relate to being held back from doing what I've wanted to do. The reason is simple. I loved my mom and I'd do anything for her even if it meant lifting her wheelchair out of the car for her or getting her anything she needed. Probably isn't the same situation as Leah's but close I'd say.
I think that the Amish are on solid ground where marriage is concerned. I like how they marry for life.
Secrets I feel are best told up front before you find yourself in a situation that you can't do anything about.
It's not good to keep secrets. They will eat you up until either you become bitter or spill it out. I think I'd rather spill it. It's why I don't like secrets.
I found this story very entertaining and was sad that it was over. I felt that Thad and May had more to tell. I don't know they just gave me that feeling as I finished the book.
I'm glad that the Bishop had the patience of Job lol and I really could see him encouraging Thad and May to get married because it's the right thing to do. I could vision his expression along with his counseling.
This is a feel good book that will have you turning the pages eagerly to see where Thad and May"s story will end.
Will he finally tell May why he dumped May to marry her sister April? Well, you'll just have to read the book to see what happens!
My thanks to Netgalley and Harliquin publishers for a copy of this book

This book had a great storyline and I really enjoyed the marriage bargain explanation that the author gives us. I also liked the themes Marie E. Bast wove through the book. In Example, forgiveness is something we do have to work towards, it is not usually something automatic that happens. I thought Marie E. Bast did a good job conveying this theme throughout the book. The main characters were interesting and made you want to stick around and see what happens to them in the end. I did not really like the flow of the story though, there was to much disconnect between the characters’ feelings and their reactions to events that take place. However, if you enjoy reading Amish fiction then you would probably enjoy this book.

I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars for the interesting storyline, the cute characters, and for the theme of forgiveness.